Mitchell: U.S. supports Palestinian state ‘as soon as possible’

(JTA) — George Mitchell said the United States supports the creation of a Palestinian state "as soon as possible."

"President Obama remains committed to actively and aggressively seeking comprehensive peace in the Middle East," Mitchell, the Obama administration’s Middle East envoy, said Friday after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. "This includes supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state as a homeland for the Palestinian people as soon as possible."

Mitchell also said that any "lasting solution" in the Middle East would not be reached "at Lebanon’s expense."

"Lebanon will play a key role in the long-term effort to build lasting, comprehensive peace and stability in the Middle East," Mitchell said, according to reports.